Fresno Buddhist Temple

The Fresno Buddhist Temple (formerly known as the Betsuin Buddhist Temple and Mrauk Oo Dhamma) is three-story Buddhist temple in Fresno, California, United States.

History

The temple was built by Issei to replace a wooden temple that burnt down in 1919,[1] the temple features gilded columns, marble stairs, detailed woodwork and a Spanish tile roof. The entire building was built by local people of Japanese ancestry.[1]

During World War II the building was closed due to the internment of people of Japanese ancestry. This included United States citizens. After re-opening, the building served as a hostel and an education center, before eventually reopening as a temple, again.

In the summer of 2011, the congregation placed the building and location up for sale for $1.1 million.[1][2]

It was purchased in 2018, and it became a Burmese Buddhist temple. The temple, now called the Mrauk Oo Dhamma, cost $750,000 for a group of Burmese-American physicians and their families to purchase.[3]

References
  1. Diana Marcum (2011). "Closure of historic temple in Fresno dismays Japanese American community". Religion. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  2. "Transitions". Preservation. National Trust for Historic Preservation. 64 (1): 9. 2012.
  3. Daniel, Alice. "A Landmark Temple In Chinatown Finally Gets New Owners". KVPR. Retrieved 9 January 2020.

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